BLOOMINGTON, Minn. _ Sam Darnold said it would be "an honor" to be drafted by the Giants.
The USC quarterback, who is entering the 2018 NFL draft, was getting his first taste of pro football's hype machine on Radio Row at Super Bowl LII on Thursday.
"It's been awesome just to be here with all these great players and the fans have been amazing," he said. "It's been awesome to be here."
He's training for the combine that begins later this month. Then the draft is in late April.
"I'm just excited to get as good as I can, be the best player I can over these next couple of months," he said. "Whatever happens happens, but I know that I'm going to improve as a quarterback."
As for his next _ and more permanent _ stop, who knows? He would appear to be a strong candidate for the Giants, who have the second overall selection in the draft. The team's decision-makers have indicated that they want Eli Manning to return as quarterback for 2018, but they have not ruled out drafting a quarterback with that No. 2 pick to eventually take his place.
Darnold said he would welcome the opportunity to work under Manning and learn before embarking on his own career.
"With the Giants' situation, obviously they're a great organization," Darnold said. "It'd be an honor for me to go there."
And maybe, one day, bring them back here. To the Super Bowl.
